Wheel structure



Oct. 9, 1945.

G. A. LYON WHEEL STRUCTURE Filed July 22, 1943 mar En 57F Gsaeas #45527" [Va v.

Patented Oct. 9, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT, OFFICE WHEEL STRUCTURE George Albert Lyon, 'Allenhurst, N. J.

Application July 22, 1943, Serial No. 495,678

11 Claims. (o 301-37) This invention is directed to an improved wheel structure and relates more particularly to an improved cover assembly therefor.

An important object of the invention is to provide for a wheel structure and a cover assembly therefor, improved retaining means for maintaining the cover over theouter side of the wheel structure to conceal the same.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved wheel structure of the type having a drop center tire rim part and a central load bearing portion associated with the radially inner surface of the base flange thereof, there being circumferentially spaced openings along the junction of the tire rim and the central load bearing portion, these openings being utilized to receive the attachment parts of improved retaining means for holding the cover over the outer side of the wheel structure.

Still another objectof the invention is to provide an improved wheel structure and cover assembly therefor and particularly an improved retaining arrangement for securing the cover to the wheel structure, the retaining means being provided with portions arranged to retainingly engage the wheel structure by axial inward movement of the retaining means and the cover member against the wheel structure and with other portions for engaging the wheel structure after a predetermined degree of such axial movement whereby proper spacing and positioning of the cover member is obtained. 7

It is further object of the invention to provide improved retaining means for securing a circular cover over the outer side of a wheel structure, said retaining means being arranged to provide for the circulation of air from the axially outer side to the axially inner side of the wheel structure and through the openings between the v 40 central load bearing portion and the tire rim, thereby to utilize the cooling effect of this circulated air on the wheel and the associated vehicle parts such as the brake drum or the like.

In accordance with the general features of my invention, there is provided herein a wheel structure having a tire rim of the drop center type and a central load bearing portion associated therewith, there being circumferentially spaced apertures between the tirerim and the central load bearing portion along the connection there- 'between, there also being a cover assembly including an annular cover part formed from a synthetic plastic material and having physical characteristics enabling it to be temporarily'flexed without permanent distortion thereof and to be form retaining and self-sustaining, this cover being secured to the wheel structure by means of an annular member having axially inwardly extending fingers arranged for retaining engagement through the openings between the tire rim and the central load bearing portion and having an axially outer portion arranged to retainingly receive the retaining part of the wheel cover, said retaining annulus being spaced from the surface of the wheel structure to afford circulation of air 'therebehind, this circulated air'passing through the wheel openings to facilitate ventilation of the wheel and appurtenant parts of the vehicle such as the brake drum or the like.

In accordance with other general features of my invention, there is provided herein improved retaining means for securing a wheel cover over the outer side of a wheel structure, said retaining means including a portion for retainingly "receiving the marginal part of the cover to form substantially a unitary structure between the retaining means and the cover, the retaining means having other portions constructed and arranged to contact and abut a portion of the outer surface of the wheel structure when the cover and retaining means assembly is urged axially inwardly thereagainst to dispose a wheel retaining part in its ultimate position.

In accordance with one of the forms of my invention there is provided herein a retaining an-- nulus having inwardly extending wheel engaging fingers and havingan axially outwardly disposed ornamental part terminating in an edge which is arranged to abut the adjacent portion at the outersurface of the Wheel structure when the retaining fingers have been urged inwardly of wheel openings in the wheel a predetermined amount. In accordance with another form of the invention, there is provided a retaining element for engaging a cover membensaid element having axially inwardly extending retaining fingers arranged to extend into and through wheel openings'in the wheel structure, these finger elements being provided with radially extending flange elements 'of greater depththan the depth of said o'penings whereby the axially inward movement; of the fingers is prevented by abutment of said flanges with the wheel structure after axial inward movement to a predetermined amount has been obtained. In accordance with anptherembodiment of the invention, there is provided herein a retaining annulus having axially inwardly extending finger elements extendin'g throughthe openings in the wheel. structure,

this'annulus having a portion bent back upon the fingers and extending in a plane outside of the radially outer side of the respective wheel opening, whereby the bent back portion abuts the junction between the tire rim and the central load bearing portion first by virtue of the disposal Figure 1 is a side elevational view, with a p rri tion of the cover being broken away, of a wheel structure embodying one form of my invention} Figure 2 is a fragmentary radialcross sectional view taken along the lines 11-11 of Figure 1;

be self-sustaining and form retaining as well as flexible in the aforementioned manner. The trim member 24 here shown is annular in form and is provided with a cross-sectional configuration of such expanse that the radially outer part thereof extends beyond the edge portion 16 of the tire rim to conceal the junction between the tire IT and the tire rim and whereby the radially inner margin thereof extends radially inwardly of the junction betweenthe load bearing portion l2a and the tire run 10} thus to conceal that junction. Furthermore, the trim member 24 is formed with a cross-sectional configuration so that it substan- "tially simulates the curvature of the side Wall of the tire l1, thereby to give the appearance of beingla part thereof and a continuation thereof to impart to the wheel structure the appearance of Figure 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectionalview of a modified form of my invention; r a

Figure 4 is a, fragmentary radial cross-sectional view .of. a modifiedfformof my invention; and Figure 5. is a fragmentary radial cross-sectional view of still a further modified form of my inven-T- tion.

It will be m ma that the embodiments shown herein are for illustrative purposes only and may be changed or modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set, forth in the appended claims. ,7

3 In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, there is provided a tire rim l0 having a base flange I l to which there is secured, as by riveting or welding, orthe like, an axially inwardly extending flange l2 of;,a central load bearing portion lza which is further provided with a central bolt-on fiange fi. ,The flange I2, as will be seen from Figures 1 and 2, is provided with radially inwardly depressed parts at, circumferentube 18, is adapted to be disposed. The inner tube [8 is further provided with a valvestem l9 which extends through a suitable aperture provided in the axially'outerjside'wall'l4-of the tire rim,

In the constructionof Figure 2, the central load bearing portion zq is prdy aed ta radially mtermediate'part the'reofgin the vicinity of the radially outer extremity of the bolt-onfiange l3, with spaced protuberances which, as shown,

extend radially inwardly to receive a snap-on bead '2l'which terminates a resilient snap-on flange 22 of a central hub cap member 23. It will be" seenth'at since the diameter of the circle prescribed by'the snap-on bead 2! is normally larger than that prescribed by the radiallyinner extremity of the circumferentially spaced humps 20, axial inward'nio'vement of the bead 2| over thehumps, 20 causes resilient distortion of the bead so that when the bead is in its axial inward position against the axially inner curvatures of the protuberances 20, it may again expand'toward its normal position, thus to securely retain .the central hub'cap member 23 upon the Wheel structure.

The cover assembly shownherein is completed by the provision of an annulus 24 which may be made from a synthetic plastic sheet 'material possessed with physical characteristics enabling it to be flexed resiliently, temporarily out of its normal position without distortion and'enabling it to tions l6 between whicha tire n, having n inner L a, massive tire upon a wheel structure of minimum dimension and to give the efiect ofa white side wall if colored white. It will be seen that when a relatively long valve stem [9 is used, the coyer member 241 is; provided preferably with an aperture 24a for-receiving this valve stem.

. To; the end that the cover member 24 may be efficientlyretained'upon the wheelstructure, in the Position shown Figure; 2,; that is with the radially outerportion thereof extending radially outwardly beyond the edge portion l6 of the tire rim and with this portion, as shown at 25 flared slightly axially outwardly and in such a position that it hugs the side wall of the tire, there is pro.- vifded herein a retaining annulus 26. This retaining annulus serves the dual purpose of securing th'e cover to thewheel structure and of providing an ornamental border 21 for. the cover. As shown, the annulusZB includes an axially outer flahge'ZI. which extends axially outwardly and radially outwardly, an inner intermediate body portion 28 and rear fingers having obliquely dispeosed radially inwardly; axially outwardly extendir'ig5t'erminal portions 29, these portions 29 being dispo'se'diin'circumferential alignment with the respective whecl openings (2b in the wheel structure; v

Preferably the terminal end of the finger 29 is constructed to'bite into the radially outer surfaic'e'of, the] respective, depressed portion 12 of the .loadbfeiaring portionfof, the wheel structure 12d, this biting engagement being augmented by the re'smencyfcrtne fingers 29 and by the fact that they normally assume, an unsprung position "slightly more radially inwardly than is shown in Figure 2. Thus theyfarejdefiected when urged axially inwardly. of'the'f wheel opening tobitingly engage the wheel as described above.

,When the fingers 29 are'intheir retaining po- .sition onth'ejwh'eel' structure shown in Figure .zjjirtfwin be seen that the intermediate portion 2.8 of each of the retainingmembers is arranged to" extend'over the adjacent portion of the outer sideof the central load bearing portion I 2a of the wheel and in spaced relationship. thereto, the flange-21 thereof extending radially outwardly Ith' ereby tose'cure' the cover 24 on the wheel struca 9 will pisses-eat mute a a movement of'the retaining member 26 beyond the position shown in Figure 2 will substantially close the spacing between the same and the outer surface of the central load bearing portion l2. To the end that further axial inward movement of the retaining member may be delimited, the axially annular edge of, the retaining member 26 is formed on a plane disposed axially outwardly of the fingers 29. Thus, when the fingers are forced into the opening l2b in the manner shown in Figure 2, further movement is prevented by abutment of the intermediate edge portions of the retaining member 26 and the corner junction formed between the tire rim ill and those portions of the central load bearing portion lZa between the respective apertures l2b.

Inthe construction shown in Figure 3 the cover member 30, which is preferably of similar construction to that shown at 24 in Figure 2, is re. tained upon the wheel structure by virtue of a retaining annulus 3|. In the position shown in Figure 3, the cover 30 is sprung axially outward- Whom the outer periphery thereof, this manipulation being due to the self-supporting, formsustaining, temporarily flexible characteristics thereof, and it will be seen that in this position the inner peripheral margin 32 thereof is retained in flush engagement with an intermediate annular flange 33 of the retainin member 3|. In this construction the retaining member 3| is provided with axially inner fingers 34 similar to those shown at 29 in Figure 2 and having the same functions as those formerly described, while the intermediate annular portion 35 of the retaining member 31 is likewise spaced from the adjacent portion of the outer surface of the wheel structure. Additionally, the retaining member 3] is provided with an outer, exposed ornamental, supporting portion 36 wihch is integral. with the radially outer edge of the cover supporting flange 33 and has the free edge 31 thereof arranged for abutment with the adjacent portion of the outer surface of the load bearing part l2a of the wheel structure. Preferably the retaining member 3| is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced apertures 38 through which air may pass, this air then passing between the spaced intermediate flange 35 and the adjacent portion of the wheel structure and thus to the respective wheel openings 12b to ventilate the assembly as heretofore described.

An additional advantage of the construction shown in Figure 3 is obtained by virtue of the abutment at the edge 31 of the retaining member 3! with the adjacent portion of the outer surface of the wheel structure. When the assembled cover 36 and retaining member 3| are forced axially inwardly so that the fingers 34 extend into the wheel openings I212 this movement may continue until such a time as the edge-3'! abuts the adjacent portion of the wheel structure, whereupon further axial movement is prevented and the cover 30 is then properly. positioned upon the wheel structure. '-Thus it will be seen that in the construction of Figure 3 there is provided an assembly in which the cover is automaticallypositioned on the wheel structure without any attention on the part of the userduring the assembly operation and furthermore, there is provided a construction-in which free circulationof air through the apertures l2b is permitted.

In the construction of Figure 4, the'cover member 39 is retained upon the wheel structure by a further modified form of. retaining normally sprung outwardly and forced together member. In this, construction- ;the fretaining member 40 is provided with axiallyinwardly extending fingers 4| having terminals provided with radially inwardlyyprotrudingportions 42, these fingers being-spaced circumferentially to coincide with'the respective openings l2b in the wheel andthe respectiveprotuberance 42 being arranged to overlap the radially inner edgeof the depressed portions I2. ofthe flange on the central load bearing portion !2a to retain the same on the wheel structure. V

I The. retainingmember 40 also includes an annular part folded back upon the remainderthereof as at 43, the portions thereof from the fold back 43 extending radially, outwardly, axially outwardly for oblique disposition so that the annular flange. .44 is disposed in a position to receive. the radially inner marginal part 45 of the cover 39, while the. flange 46 is exposed from the outer side of the wheel structure and may be constructed from stainless steel as in thecase ofv retaining members 26 and13l of Figures 2 and 3 respective? ly. Thus when the flange 46 is. highly buffed, it presents a lustrous border for the radially inner edge of the cover 39. i

The flange '44 terminates in, a further flange 41 which extends radially outwardly axially inwardly and may, if desired, terminate in a curled terminal ed e 48, this edge, whatever its shape, being arranged to presentv an annular abutment of the corner junction formed between the tire rim Ill and the central load bearingportion lZa. Here again, when the cover assembly includin the cover 39and the retaining member 40 is urged axially inwardly so that, the fingers 4| extend into the respective wheel openings, an abutment, by means of the edge 48 is obtained so that this inward movement is limited to a predetermined amount, whereby automatic, positioningof the coveris obtained. The portions ii and 4B are in the assembly operation.

In the construction of Figure 5, the cover member 49 is retained upon the wheelstructure by means of a-retaining annulus 56 which includes axially inwardly extending fingers 5| having terminal ends provided with radially inwardly extending humped portions 52, arrangedto extend axially inwardly of the inner edge of the depressed portions of the flange I2 to retain the same upon the wheel structure. In this construction the members 2| are provided withradially extending. flange-like members 53. which are provided with a radial expanse greater than the radial depth of the respective opening whereby inward movement of the assembly including the cover 49 and the retaining member 50 is delimited by abutment of the leading edge 54 means which serve to further ornament the wheel structure, to provide for the circulation of a r through the openings in the Wheel structure and to provide for delimiting the axial inward movement of the retaining means duringthe assembly thereof with the wheel structure whereby the spacing thereof from the wheel structure is maintained to provide for such ventilation and where by the cover member is automatically andeasily disposed in a predetermined proper position upon the wheel structure.

What I claim is:

1. In a wheel structure having a tire rim and a load bearing, portion, there being circumferentially spaced openings along the junction between said rim and load bearing portion, a cover'for disposition over the outer side of the wheel structure and retaining means for securing the cover in position, said retaining means including portions for retainingly engaging the wheel structure, a portion for retainingly engaging the coverand an intermediate portion disposed in spaced relation to the adjacent part of the surface of the wheel to define therewith an air passage to the wheel openings, said cover and cover engaging portion of the retaining means being arranged to afford an opening for said air passage.

2. In a wheel structure having a tire rim and a load bearing portion, there being circumferentially spaced openings along the junction between said rim and load bearing portion, a cover for disposition over the outer side of the wheel structure, said cover being formed from a synthetic plastic material and having physical characteristics enabling it to be form retaining and yet resiliently locally flexible, and metallic retaining means for securing the cover in, position, said retaining means including portions for retainingly engaging the wheel structure, a portion for retainingly engaging the cover and an intermediate portion disposed in spaced relation to the adjacent part of the surface of the wheel to define therewith an air passage to the wheel openings, said cover and cover engaging portion of the retaining means being arranged to afford an opening for said air passage.

3. In a wheel structure having a tire rim and a load bearing portion, there being circumferentially spaced openings at the junction of said rim and said load bearing portion, a cover assembly for disposition over the, outer side of the wheel and retaining means for securing the cover on the wheel, said retaining means including an annulus having substantially axially inwardly ex,- tending parts for engaging the wheel, a portion for retainingly engaging the cover and an intermediate portion disposed in spaced relation to the adjacent portion of the outer surface of the r wheel to provide an air passage to the openings in the wheel, and an abutment portion for engaging the wheel to maintain said intermediate portion in spaced relation to the surface of the wheel when said wheel engaging parts are in retaining position with respect to the wheel.

4. In a wheel structure having a tire rim and a load bearing portion, there being circumferentially spaced openings through said wheel structure, a cover for disposition over the outer side of the wheel structure to substantially conceal the outer surface thereof and retaining means for securing said cover over the wheel, said retaining means including a cover receiving portion and portions arranged for retainingly engaging the wheel, said portions being provided with an intermediate bridging portion disposed in spaced relationship to the wheel to afford an air passage to said openings in the wheel thereby to afford ventilation of the wheel parts and adjacent portions of the vehicle,

5. In a wheel structure having a tire rim and aload bearing portion, there being circumferentially spaced openings through said wheel structure, a cover for disposition over the outer side of the wheel structure to conceal the outer surface thereof and retaining means for securing saidcover over the wheel, said retaining means including a cover receiving portion and-portions arranged for retainingly engaging the wheel, said portions being provided with an intermediate bridging portion disposed in spaced relationship to the wheel to afford an air passage to said openings in the wheel thereby to aiford ventilation of the wheel parts and adjacent portions of the vehicle, and means on said retaining member for delimiting movement thereof with respect to the wheel thereby to maintain said intermediate bridging portion thereof in spaced relationship to the wheel.

6. In a wheel structure including a tire rim and a central load bearing portion, there being circumferentially spaced apertures at the junction of said rim and load bearing portion, a cover assembly including a cover part arranged for disposition over the outer side of the wheel to conceal the junction between the rim and the load bearing portion and retaining means for securing the cover on the wheel including an annular part having wheel engaging elements extending substantially axially from one end thereof, said elements being arranged for retaining engagement with the wheel structure and having at the other edge thereof a portion for retainingly engaging the cover, said intermediate portion being disposed in spaced relationship from the opposed surface of the wheel structure to afford an air passage to the openings in the wheel and said cover retaining portion being formed to extend radially outwardly away from the surface of the wheel structure to provide an opening for said passage.

7. In a wheel structure including a, tire rim and a central load bearing portion, there being circumferentially spaced openings along the junction between the tire rim and the load bearing portion, an annular cover for disposition over the outer side of the tire rim to conceal the outer surface thereof and retaining means for maintaining the cover upon the wheel structure, said retaining means including an annular part having at the axially inner edge thereof wheel engaging elements, said annular part being disposed in spaced relationship to the adjacent surface of the wheel structure when said elements are disposed in wheel retaining position and hav. ing at the opposite edge thereof a cover receiving flange, said flange terminating in a radially extending bead, said bead being provided with an edge for abutting the adjacent portion of the outer surface of the wheel structure when said retaining elements are urged into wheel engaging position with the intermediate annular part in spaced relationship from the wheel structure, said bead being provided with a plurality of apertures arranged to serve as openings for the passage formed between the intermediate annular part and the adjacent portionv of the wheel structure.

8. In a wheel structure including a tire rim and a central load bearing portion, there being circumferentially spaced apertures along the junction between the rim and the load bearing portion, a cover member for disposition over the outer side of the wheel structure and arranged to conceal the outer side of the tire rim, said cover member having a radially, inner part arranged to extend radially inwardly beyond the junction of said rim and said load bearing portion and retaining mean for maintaining the cover in disposition over the outer side of the wheel structure, said retaining means including an annular portion bent back upon itself and bent intermediately to provide an axially outer ornamental, cover receiving flange, one of said bent back portions terminating in inwardly extending fingers arranged for resilient engagement in the wheel openings to retain the assembly upon the wheel structure and the other of said bent back portions terminating in a continuous edge arranged to engage in the corner formed at the junction of the tire rim and the central load bearing portion when said resilient retaining elements are moved axially inwardly into engagement with the wheel openings, said finger elements and said last named turned back edge portion being arranged to spring away from one another and being drawn toward one another thereof in this position, thereby to securely retain the elements in the openings of the wheel structure.

9. In a wheel structure including a tire rim and a central load bearing portion, there being circumferentially spaced apertures at the junction of said rim and load bearing portion, a cover member for disposition over the outer side of the wheel structure for concealing the outer surface of the tire rim, and retaining means for maintaining the cover over the wheel including a cover retaining portion and axially inwardly extending wheel engaging portions, said last named portions being aligned with the respective openings in the wheel structure and being arranged to be extended into retaining engagement with the inner part thereof, an intermediate annular bridging portion between said cover retaining portion and said wheel engaging portion and abutment means formed on said intermediate portion extending radially therefrom, said abutment means having a radial expanse greater than that of the respective wheel opening thereby to afford an abutment to delimit axial inward move-" ment of the wheel engaging mean into the wheel opening to retain said cover in ya predetermined position with respect to the wheel structure.

10. In a cover assembly for disposition over the outer side of a wheel structure having a tire rim and a central load bearing portion, there being circumferentially spaced openings along the junction of the rim and the load bearing portion, a radially outer, resilient, annular cover member and. having a cross sectional expanse so that it extends substantially from the radially outer extremity of the rim, radially inwardly beyond the junction of the rim and the central load bearing portion of the wheel to conceal said junction,

and an annular, relatively rigid, metallic retalning member for maintaining the covermember on the wheel, said annular, relatively rigid retaining member including means for engaging in said openings in the wheel to retain-the same on the wheel and an axially outer, radially outwardly extending flange portion for receiving on the axially inner surface thereof, the radially inner margin of the resilient, annular cover member, whereby it overlies the outer side of said margin of the cover member to retain the same on the wheel and protect the same against damage,

11. The cover structure of claim 10 further characterized by the annular retaining member being of angular cross-section with said means thereof comprising one leg curved over the wheel loading bearing portion and with said flanged portion thereof comprising the other leg.

GEQRGE ALBERT LYON. 

